Communications and Public Outreach Supervisor

Nature Of Work

Under direction, the employee performs supervisory activities including the scheduling, assignment, and review of office and field work involving communications and public outreach. Considerable initiative and independent judgment are required in determining what, when and how to communicate to best serve the needs of the department/division. Tact, discretion and courtesy are extremely important in discharging assigned duties. Work involves liaison and coordination with department, division, other city personnel and the general public. Work is reviewed through conferences, observations, reports submitted, and results obtained.

Examples of Duties

Plans, assigns, supervises, trains and reviews the work of subordinate employees engaged in communications and public outreach.

Recommends employment, promotion, transfer, discipline, demotion and dismissal of subordinate employees as necessary; responds to requests for leave; serves as initial respondent to grievances; completes employee performance appraisals; administers discipline as required.

Supervises the overall outreach plan for the Water Department including planning, facilitating, and executing public outreach activities such as neighborhood and community feedback sessions. Program management may also involve managing outreach contracts with outside firms.

Responds to requests from the general public; provides responses to questions and complaints from the public concerning departmental/divisional operations and facilities.

Coordinates requests for department/division personnel for participation in public events; provides department/division employees to schools, science fairs, etc.

Provides educational materials and opportunities on request; maintains library of relevant materials; makes brochures and handouts related to the department/ division available for dissemination to interested parties.

Ensures communication plan is executed properly; prepares and distributes department newsletter; provides continuous improvement program updates; provides informational video announcements; provides communications to external stakeholders.

Primary point of contact for and liaison to the Communications Director; ensures established departmental compliance with established communications policies, procedure and directives.

Maintain department website; review websites for content accuracy and navigation improvements.

Draft press materials across mainstream and community-based communication channels.

Initiate press outreach per citywide communications plan/expectations to increase positive messaging on a more routine basis.

Support and initiate visibility for department activities and major projects; lead messaging for projects prioritizing the benefit to the public.

Track City Council requests and initiatives and provide greater visibility and affirmative positive coverage of progress Guide the publication and release of reports, including community outreach as needed.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of: department programs and portfolio; mainstream and community-based media channels.

Ability to: plan, assign, supervise and review the work of subordinate personnel; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials and the general public; deal with the public in an effective manner; prepare and present clear and concise reports both orally and in writing; maintain records using a variety of source materials; utilize written and oral communications in an effective manner; understand and follow complex oral and written instructions; professionally represent the department/division and the city; exercise independent judgment in determining what, when, and how to effect communications; communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders.

Skills in: organization of communications and public relations materials and programs; use of computers (Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); video production; interpersonal relations; effective writing and communication; writing and summarizing complex materials for publication; scheduling.

Physical Requirements

Mostly sedentary, indoors, some outdoor exposure. Requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising, journalism, or a related field and one (1) year of experience as the primary communications person with responsibility for external communications to include media interaction and/or community outreach; and one (1) year supervisory experience.

Licenses or Certifications

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Examination

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Comments

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

Conclusion

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